He’s arguably one of the best known legislators in the area, serving six terms in the Vermont State Senate but his is the last campaign for Julius Canns (R-St. Johnsbury).

Canns has become an integral part of the North Country landscape. He owned a radio and TV store in St. Johnsbury for 25 years, and served as a tax collector, selectman, Justice of the Peace, and Deputy Sheriff. He’s one of two people serving on his district’s grand jury.

Urged by “people who knew my record,” to run for office, Canns joined the Republicans. “I’ve always been concerned about people’s rights under the constitution and the Democrats don’t seem to share that.”

He’s also concerned about people’s property rights and is against law enforcement being able to enter homes without a warrant, and the provision in the Patriot Act that allows the government to monitor what library books he reads. “I guess you could say I’m a constitutional Republican.”

Canns says he fights for people’s right to privacy. “I include seat belts in that,” he said. “They pushed too hard for seat belt legislation but not hard enough on dope pushers. If they put the same energy into taking dope pushers off the streets, more kids’ lives would be saved.”

Need for Rx reform

Canns is most concerned about the price of prescription drugs and believes it imperative we get help from the Federal Government. “We need to be able to import drugs from Canada,” he said. He cited a current legal case involving Vermont and Michigan who are suing the federal government so they can legally import drugs from Canada. He believes the safety issue is a red herring.

Canns blames the powerful pharmaceutical lobby for thwarting attempts to buy drugs from Canada, keeping both prices and profits high. According to Canns he was approached by a pharmaceutical lobbyist at a meeting in Montpelier he attended with his wife. The lobbyist offered him a blank check and told him “to fill in the amount.” “I rejected it,” said Canns. “The only money I take is from my constituents,” said Canns. “I’ve never taken an out of state dollar or money from large corporations.”

Legislative reforms

“For the first time we actually cracked Act 250 and at least got it into conference. That law has been stopping economic development terribly, because we were unwilling to look at ways to make the permit process easier. I had the proud moment of getting it out of committee where it was stuck and getting it into conference.” Canns’s proudest legislative moment was defeating a little known bill that would fine property owners for having too much fertilizer on their land. “I wondered who the sod police’ were going to be, where the money would go and who had the right to step on private property. It was a hard fight, but we finally tabled this issue.”

Canns considers himself an independent Republican and votes with Democrats to pass laws he feels are in the best interest of the public. “A few years ago Cheryl Rivers (D) and I took the sales tax off shoes and clothing.” He also sided with Democrats by voting against the Governor’s increased sales tax.

Canns said his experience as a grand juror, selectman, tax collector, Justice of the Peace, and his law degree, helped him understand the political process and effectively represent his constituents.

If re-elected Canns first priority is to continue helping people protect their rights. He believes Vermont should adopt a constitutional amendment to prevent same sex marriage. “I’m for civil unions, as this is a fairness issue, but I feel the people never got a chance to vote on the main issue.” He has worked on this issue for the past six years and will continue in the next session.

“I advocate using closed circuit television to arraign prisoners,” said Canns. This would save law enforcement officials from “hustling prisoners across the state from court to court. In some cases they arrive at their destination only to find their case can’t be heard that day, and they have to be escorted back to jail.”

“This is my last campaign,” said Canns. “I hope I make it because I’m worried that the legislature wants to pass more intrusive laws, and I want to do my best to stop it.” Canns also wants to find ways to improve the economic life of his constituents by finding ways to lower health insurance costs and bringing good paying jobs into the state.